Ermal Meta
{{Short description|Italian singer and songwriter (born 1981)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2023}}
{{Expand Italian|topic=bio|Ermal Meta|date=May 2023}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Ermal Meta
| image = BlueCarpet2018-073-Italy4-EuroVisionary.jpg
| image_size =
| caption = Ermal Meta in 2018
| birth_name =
| alias =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1981|4|20|df=yes}}
| birth_place = Fier, PSR Albania
| origin = Bari, Italy
| genre = {{hlist|Pop|rock|alternative}}
| past_member_of = Ameba 4, La Fame di Camilla
| occupation = {{hlist|Singer|songwriter|composer}}
| instruments = {{hlist|Vocals|guitar|keyboard|synthesizer|bass|piano|drum machine|sampler|cajón}}
| years_active = 2006–present
| associated_acts =
| website =
}}
Ermal Meta ({{IPA|it|ˈɛrmal ˈmɛːta|lang}}, {{IPA|sq|ɛɾˈmal ˈmɛta|lang}}; born 20 April 1981) is an Albanian-born Italian singer and songwriter.
Meta rose to prominence as one of the lead singers of Ameba 4 and {{interlanguage link|La Fame di Camilla|it}}.{{cite web|url=http://www.poplife.it/curiosita-ermal-meta/2/|publisher=PopLife.it|language=it|access-date=11 February 2017|title=Tutte le curiosità su Ermal Meta|date=6 February 2017|author=Ilaria Venturini|archive-date=1 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171001214554/http://www.poplife.it/curiosita-ermal-meta/2/|url-status=dead}} After becoming a songwriter for several Italian artists, he launched his solo career, releasing two studio albums: Umano (2016) and Vietato morire (2017). The latter peaked at number one in Italy, and was preceded by the single with the same title, which placed third in the main competition of the Sanremo Music Festival 2017, also receiving the "Mia Martini" Critics' Prize.
In 2018, Meta won the Sanremo Music Festival alongside Fabrizio Moro with "Non mi avete fatto niente", and went on to represent Italy in the Eurovision Song Contest 2018.{{cite web|publisher=Rai 1|title=Il riassunto della serata finale|url=http://www.rai.it/programmi/sanremo/news/2018/02/Sanremo-2018-riassunto-finale-31cb9078-edd1-45de-8c41-7a8ec16d1e1b.html|website=rai.it|access-date=19 December 2019|language=it|date=10 February 2018|archive-date=24 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424144628/https://www.rai.it/programmi/sanremo/news/2018/02/Sanremo-2018-riassunto-finale-31cb9078-edd1-45de-8c41-7a8ec16d1e1b.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|publisher=European Broadcasting Union|title=Lisbon 2018–Participants: Ermal Meta and Fabrizio Moro|url=https://eurovision.tv/participant/ermal-meta-fabrizio-moro|website=eurovision.tv|access-date=19 December 2019|language=en|archive-date=27 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230827182837/https://eurovision.tv/participant/ermal-meta-fabrizio-moro|url-status=live}}
Life
Born in Fier, Albania, Meta and his family moved to Bari in southern Italy at the age of 13.{{cite web|url=http://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/cultura/musica/2017/01/22/ermal-meta-vita-va-guardata-in-faccia_5f362c5a-e8c5-4e98-bc3b-3bb2637ec60b.html|publisher=Agenzia Nazionale Stampa Associata|language=it|access-date=11 February 2017|title=Ermal Meta, vita va guardata in faccia|author=Cladia Fascia|date=22 January 2017|archive-date=7 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180207005329/http://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/cultura/musica/2017/01/22/ermal-meta-vita-va-guardata-in-faccia_5f362c5a-e8c5-4e98-bc3b-3bb2637ec60b.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ilpost.it/2017/02/07/ermal-meta-sanremo-vietato-morire/|work=Il Post|language=it|access-date=11 February 2017|title=Chi è Ermal Meta|date=7 February 2017|archive-date=7 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180207005002/http://www.ilpost.it/2017/02/07/ermal-meta-sanremo-vietato-morire/|url-status=live}} He debuted as a guitarist of Italian band Ameba4, which competed in the Newcomers' section of the Sanremo Music Festival 2006 with the song "Rido... forse mi sbaglio", included in their self-titled album, which was released in February 2006.{{cite web|url=http://www.rockol.it/news-77414/ameba-4-debuttano-all-ariston-sanremo-sara-il-nostro-punto-partenza|publisher=Rockol.it|language=it|access-date=11 February 2017|title=Gli Ameba 4 debuttano all'Ariston: Sanremo sarà il nostro punto di partenza|date=27 February 2006|archive-date=7 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180207005340/http://www.rockol.it/news-77414/ameba-4-debuttano-all-ariston-sanremo-sara-il-nostro-punto-partenza|url-status=live}}
Career
File:La Fame Di Camilla in concerto.jpg
In 2007, Meta became the frontman, lead singer and main songwriter of the band La Fame di Camilla.{{cite web|url=http://ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/2009/09/11/il-ritorno-della-fame-di-camilla-debutto.html|work=la Repubblica|language=it|title=Il ritorno della Fame di Camilla debutto discografico alla Feltrinelli|author=Matilde Conte|date=11 September 2009|access-date=11 February 2017|archive-date=11 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211160207/http://ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/2009/09/11/il-ritorno-della-fame-di-camilla-debutto.html|url-status=live}} Their debut album, simply titled La Fame di Camilla, was released by Universal Music in 2009.{{cite web|url=http://www.rockol.it/recensioni-musicali/album/4045/la-fame-di-camilla-la-fame-di-camilla|publisher=Rockol.it|language=it|access-date=11 February 2017|title=La Fame di Camilla – La Fame di Camilla|date=24 September 2009|author=Paolo Panzeri|archive-date=1 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171001213901/http://www.rockol.it/recensioni-musicali/album/4045/la-fame-di-camilla-la-fame-di-camilla|url-status=live}} The band later released the albums Buio e luce, including the title-track which competed in the Newcomers' section of the Sanremo Music Festival 2010, and L'attesa (2012).{{Cite web|url=http://www.radioitalia.it/news/la_fame_di_camilla/recensioni/3528_la_fame_di_camilla_l_attesa.php|publisher=Radio Italia Solo Musica Italiana|language=it|access-date=11 February 2017|title=La Fame di Camilla – L'attesa|date=24 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170212090837/http://www.radioitalia.it/news/la_fame_di_camilla/recensioni/3528_la_fame_di_camilla_l_attesa.php|archive-date=12 February 2017|url-status=dead}}
The band split in 2013.{{cite web|url=http://www.radioitalia.it/news/la_fame_di_camilla/evento/5776_ermal_meta_annuncia_sciolta_la_band_la_fame_di_camilla.php|publisher=Radio Italia Solo Musica Italiana|language=it|access-date=11 February 2017|title=Ermal Meta annuncia: sciolta la band La Fame di Camilla|date=29 March 2013|archive-date=7 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180207005056/http://www.radioitalia.it/news/la_fame_di_camilla/evento/5776_ermal_meta_annuncia_sciolta_la_band_la_fame_di_camilla.php|url-status=live}}
After writing songs for several Italian artists, including Marco Mengoni, Emma, Chiara, Annalisa, Patty Pravo and Lorenzo Fragola, Meta started his solo career.{{cite web|url=http://www.vanityfair.it/show/musica/17/02/07/sanremo-2017-ermal-meta-chi-e-big-emma|work=Vanity Fair|access-date=11 February 2017|date=7 February 2017|title=Sanremo 2017: chi è Ermal Meta?|author=Mario Manca|archive-date=14 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170214103425/http://www.vanityfair.it/show/musica/17/02/07/sanremo-2017-ermal-meta-chi-e-big-emma|url-status=live}} In July 2013, he appeared as a featured artist on Patty Pravo's single "Non mi interessa".{{cite web|url=http://www.ansa.it/web/notizie/rubriche/spettacolo/2013/07/10/Patty-Pravo-feat-Ermal-Meta-mi-interessa-_9005040.html|publisher=Agenzia Nazionale Stampa Associata|language=it|date=10 July 2013|title=Patty Pravo feat. Ermal Meta|access-date=11 February 2017|archive-date=1 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171001213956/http://www.ansa.it/web/notizie/rubriche/spettacolo/2013/07/10/Patty-Pravo-feat-Ermal-Meta-mi-interessa-_9005040.html|url-status=live}} In 2014, he contributed the soundtrack of Italian television series Braccialetti rossi, performing the song "Tutto si muove".{{cite web|url=http://www.bergamonews.it/2016/05/07/gabbani-calcutta-cosmo-la-rivincita-dellindie-pop-italiano/223008/|publisher=BergamoNews.it|language=it|access-date=11 February 2017|title=Gabbani, Calcutta, Cosmo: la rivincita dell'indie-pop italiano|date=7 May 2016|archive-date=25 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170425190704/http://www.bergamonews.it/2016/05/07/gabbani-calcutta-cosmo-la-rivincita-dellindie-pop-italiano/223008|url-status=live}}
In 2016, he competed in the 66th Sanremo Music Festival, performing the song "Odio le favole", which placed third in the Newcomers' section.{{cite web|url=http://it.ibtimes.com/sanremo-giovani-2016-francesco-gabbani-vincitore-nuove-proposte-classifica-1438135|work=International Business Times|access-date=11 February 2017|title=Sanremo Giovani 2016: Francesco Gabbani vincitore Nuove Proposte, classifica|author=Rosa D'Ettore|date=12 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170220132437/http://it.ibtimes.com/sanremo-giovani-2016-francesco-gabbani-vincitore-nuove-proposte-classifica-1438135|archive-date=20 February 2017|url-status=dead}} "Odio le favole" was included in his debut solo album, Umano. He returned to the contest in 2017, competing in the Big Artists section for the first time, with the song "Vietato morire".{{cite web|url=http://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2016/12/13/festival-di-sanremo-2017-al-bano-mannoia-eloide-dai-talent-ai-veterani-ecco-i-big-che-saliranno-sul-palco-dellariston/3255212/|work=Il Fatto Quotidiano|language=it|access-date=7 January 2017|title=Festival di Sanremo 2017: i cantanti in gara. Dai talent ai veterani: ecco chi salirà sul palco dell'Ariston|author=Domenico Naso|date=13 December 2016|archive-date=8 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170108093552/http://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2016/12/13/festival-di-sanremo-2017-al-bano-mannoia-eloide-dai-talent-ai-veterani-ecco-i-big-che-saliranno-sul-palco-dellariston/3255212/|url-status=live}} During the third night of the contest, he performed a cover of Domenico Modugno's "Amara terra mia", receiving the award for the Best Cover Performance.{{cite web|url=http://ilmattino.it/spettacoli/sanremo/sanremo_ermal_meta_vince_con_cover_amara_terra_mia-2249314.html|work=Il Mattino|date=10 February 2017|title=Sanremo: Ermal Meta vince con cover Amara terra mia|access-date=11 February 2017|archive-date=13 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171213011239/https://www.ilmattino.it/spettacoli/sanremo/sanremo_ermal_meta_vince_con_cover_amara_terra_mia-2249314.html|url-status=live}} Meta placed third overall in the competition, and received the "Mia Martini" Critics' Prize.{{cite web|url=http://www.ilgiornale.it/news/spettacoli/sanremo-premiati-mannoia-ed-ermal-meta-1362771.html|work=Il Giornale|language=it|access-date=13 February 2017|title=Dalla critica al miglior testo. Ecco tutti i cantanti premiati|author=Luisa De Montis|date=12 February 2017|archive-date=1 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201085410/http://www.ilgiornale.it/news/spettacoli/sanremo-premiati-mannoia-ed-ermal-meta-1362771.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.rockol.it/news-669494/sanremo-2017-ermal-meta-terzo-classificato-e-premio-della-critica|publisher=Rockol.it|language=it|access-date=17 February 2017|title=Sanremo 2017: i vincitori in sala stampa, Ermal Meta|date=12 February 2017|archive-date=1 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201042932/http://www.rockol.it/news-669494/sanremo-2017-ermal-meta-terzo-classificato-e-premio-della-critica|url-status=live}}
His second studio album, Vietato morire, was released on 10 February 2017.{{cite web|url=http://www.radioitalia.it/news/ermal_meta/nuova_uscita/13792_ermal_meta_il_featuring_con_elisa_in_%E2%80%9Cvietato_morire%E2%80%9D.php|publisher=Radio Italia Solo Musica Italiana|access-date=11 February 2017|title=Ermal Meta: il featuring con Elisa in Vietato morire|date=24 January 2017|archive-date=1 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171001213247/http://www.radioitalia.it/news/ermal_meta/nuova_uscita/13792_ermal_meta_il_featuring_con_elisa_in_%E2%80%9Cvietato_morire%E2%80%9D.php|url-status=live}} The album also includes a duet with Italian singer-songwriter Elisa.
In March 2017, Meta was chosen as a judge on the 16th series of Italian talent show Amici di Maria De Filippi.{{cite web|url=http://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2017/03/09/amici-2017-il-cast-dalla-giuria-con-ermal-meta-e-ambra-angiolini-a-morgan-che-torna-nel-ruolo-di-mentore-dei-giovani/3440292/|work=Il Fatto Quotidiano|title=Amici 2017, il cast: dalla giuria con Ermal Meta e Ambra Angiolini, a Morgan che torna nel ruolo di mentore dei giovani|author=Domenico Naso|date=9 March 2017|access-date=10 March 2017|archive-date=13 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171113170738/https://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2017/03/09/amici-2017-il-cast-dalla-giuria-con-ermal-meta-e-ambra-angiolini-a-morgan-che-torna-nel-ruolo-di-mentore-dei-giovani/3440292/|url-status=live}}
On 11 February 2018, Meta, along with Fabrizio Moro, won the Big Artists section of the Sanremo Music Festival 2018 with the song Non mi avete fatto niente, and as such, represented Italy at the Eurovision Song Contest 2018 in Lisbon, Portugal.{{cite web |url=http://www.rockol.it/news-685821/sanremo-2018-ermal-meta-fabrizio-moro-all-eurovision-song-contest |publisher=Rockol.it |language=it |access-date=11 February 2018 |title=Ermal Meta e Fabrizio Moro rappresenteranno l'Italia all'Eurovision Song Contest |date=11 February 2018 |archive-date=25 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180425134359/http://www.rockol.it/news-685821/sanremo-2018-ermal-meta-fabrizio-moro-all-eurovision-song-contest |url-status=live }}
In 2020, he released the single Finirà bene.{{Cite web |date=5 May 2020 |title=Ermal Meta: questo video di "Finirà bene" cantata dai balconi ti emozionerà |url=http://news.mtv.it/musica/ermal-meta-finira-bene-cantata-dai-balconi-video/ |access-date=2023-01-27 |website=MTV Italia |archive-date=27 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230127233747/http://news.mtv.it/musica/ermal-meta-finira-bene-cantata-dai-balconi-video/ |url-status=live }}
In 2021, he competed in the Big Artists section of the Sanremo Music Festival 2021 with the song Un milione di cose da dirti. He placed third in the competition.
Discography
{{Main|Ermal Meta discography}}
- Umano (2016)
- Vietato morire (2017)
- Non abbiamo armi (2018)
- Tribù urbana (2021)
- Buona fortuna (2024)
Awards
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- {{Facebook|ermalmetainfo}}
- {{Instagram|ermalmetamusic}}
- {{Twitter|metaermal}}
- [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJbWj2ntPh3vQ4OIARcFF8Q Ermal Meta] on YouTube
{{S-start}}
{{s-ach}}
{{succession box
| before=Francesco Gabbani
| title= Sanremo Music Festival winner (with Fabrizio Moro)| years= 2018
| after= Mahmood
}}
{{succession box
| before=Francesco Gabbani
with "Occidentali's Karma"
| title= Italy in the Eurovision Song Contest (with Fabrizio Moro)
| years= 2018
}}
{{S-end}}
{{Navboxes
|title = Awards for Ermal Meta
|list =
{{MTV EMA for Best Italian Act}}
{{Sanremo Music Festival winners}}
}}
{{Italy in the Eurovision Song Contest}}
{{Eurovision Song Contest 2018}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Meta, Ermal}}
Category:21st-century Italian guitarists
Category:Italian male guitarists
Category:Italian male singer-songwriters
Category:21st-century Italian singer-songwriters
Category:Albanian emigrants to Italy
Category:Sanremo Music Festival winners